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The Beatles: Fun with the Fab Four (DVD ’1986 ) Documentary on the career of the Beatles. More rare and unusual news films, comedy bits, TV appearances, and interviews featuring the greatest group ever, including a Shakespearean comedy sketch, long thought lost, with Paul and John as Pyramus and Thisbe. This exciting compilation from the sensational Sixties also features outrageously funny press conferences, as well as clips of both their original drummer, Pete Best, and Ringo’s temporary replacement, Jimmy Nicol. You’ll see on-location footage of the Beatles shooting A Hard Day’s Night at London’s Paddington Station, and their characteristically off-the-wall reactions to being made Members of the Order of the British Empire. Follow the controversy surrounding John’s remark that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus“ and the boycott that resulted, and hear about their run-in with the law for violating the curfew at a Minneapolis motel. This video’s opening prologue states that it is: ’’A compilation of newsfilm, interviews, and TV clips from around the world.’’ Top cast: The Beatles George Harrison John Lennon Paul McCartney Ringo Starr Production company: Movietime Inc Archives When my friend brought her copy of “Fun with the Fab Four“ over to my house today, I thought it looked stupid. The name does make it sound as though it will be, but when she told me it was not, I agreed to watch it. Especially when I found out the Midsummer Nights Dream sketch was in it, something I had been dyeing to see ever since I first saw a picture of John in those pigtails. Anyway, as the other reviewers have said, if you’r not much of a beatles fan, stear clear. This is really only for those leaning toward obsessive. If you are like me, (I bought Ringo a sixty-fourth birthday present) this dvd is a wonder beyond your wildest dreams. The interviews are interesting and almost constantly hilareous, and the Midsummer Nights Dream sketch is worth it all on its own. That sketch is quite possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen. (“I’m the man on the moon, this is my thorn branch, and this doggie woggie here is my dog!“ ...priceless) The part from Japanese television in which the picture didn’t match the sound was confusing (Ringo’s mouth is moving, but John’s voice is coming out!), but apart from that, I think it is one of my favorite Beatles DVDs, and I own a good amount (anthology, unauthorized, A hard days night, help, magical mystery tour, and soon Let it Be, hopefully), all of which I hold in very high regard. I plan to buy Fun with the Fab Four as soon as possible, and at the price it has, there is no reason to pass it up! Its going for a penny in the used section! oh, and if anyone knows where to get George Harrison’s pirate song sketch from Eric Idle’s television program, Id be much obliged. thanks! I absolutely loved this DVD. I was a little skeptical at first because it was so cheap, but it was such a bargain. I wouldn’t recommend this DVD to the casual Beatles fan, however. It is filled with rare interviews with the boys, from various cities on various tours. There’s no music in it, just an hour of talking, but it is well worth it. The interviews are treaures, to see the interaction between the four members. They were very close and it shows. The Pyramus and Thisbe skit is so hilarious, I would have bought it just for that one scene. There are many numerous hilarious moments withing this DVD. Like John saying that The Beatles is just a name “you know, like shoe. We could have been called the Shoes for all you know.“ Things like that. There are some things on this that are also in Anthology, but it is still well worth it.
